This topic I am sure has been raised before but here goes. Polymarine Hypalon Paint, has anyone used it and if so are you happy with the results? Any issues over time? Currently have a 26 year old delta with I presume the same age of tubes. Tubes have had a hard life, still hold air well (patched in places) but a lot of sun damaged and wear on tops of tubes down to fabric. Replacement would be great but not an option currently.

Donít think weíve ever seen anyone who reports it as a long term improvement for tired tubes. If your tubes are just worn on top it may be possible to just add huge wear patches across the whole top half of the tubes. Someone did that a while ago with visually impressive results (I think Tidel did the work) and at a big saving on new tubes.

Donít think weíve ever seen anyone who reports it as a long term improvement for tired tubes. If your tubes are just worn on top it may be possible to just add huge wear patches across the whole top half of the tubes. Someone did that a while ago with visually impressive results (I think Tidel did the work) and at a big saving on new tubes.

My post on ďFaded tubes - options?Ē Had some images of both painted and patches from other members. Both were happy with the result. I canít see how to link that thread here on my phone, perhaps Poly can help with that pls?

Might be worth the OP looking at those.

For me process is revive tubes if possible and put up with them if they are sound. Second would be consider if patches etc is cost effective and will last, or if not then as a last option (or of finances only allow) then go for paint if you are happy that when it tires it may well be new tube time and patches may then not be an option (I donít know? Perhaps they would adhere ok on top of paint?). Some have been very happy with paint though, although I would suspect that a huge part of whether it looks good and lasts would be down to expert application and perhaps the examples where it looks terrible/peels after only a year or two were the DIY jobs?

No I am not connected with Poly Marine (pharmacist by trade) have considered adding wear patches/black Hypalon to tube tops. Unsure of best option to take, am aware and have read tube painting is the last resort but the "odd" good review of paint and the longevity of it does intrigue me

No I am not connected with Poly Marine (pharmacist by trade) have considered adding wear patches/black Hypalon to tube tops. Unsure of best option to take, am aware and have read tube painting is the last resort but the "odd" good review of paint and the longevity of it does intrigue me

Imo paint is the very very last resort before binning the tubes. Youíd be surprised what can be achieved with a good clean, protectant & elbow grease.

If you're down to the fabric, that's a lot of wear and a big ask of paint to replace. However, I've used hypalon paint, it is very durable and tough. When brush painted is has a poor aesthetic finish because it is thixotropic so doesn't flow out well.
You would need to thoroughly clean the hypalon and have no trace of polish or silicone product left on the surface. You can buy automotive paint wipe, commonly known as 'spirit wipe' which can deal with silicone residue. Swelling the hypalon surface using cellulose thinner will open up it's structure a little and promote adhesion.

But, if it were mine, I'd be looking at over patching the seriously worn areas then coating the whole of the tubes with a few coats of floor sealer.

So anyway, in all seriousness this time, I will be applying the product below this weekend and will report back. I intend to roller it. I've used the plain paints before on very small "down to the fabric patches" and found they "worked" but the colour (blue) was brutal. No idea about longevity.

To the original question, I had some quite significant additional covering and wear patches added to my Ribtec ~6 years ago now (didn't realise it was that long ago!), and it's still working beautifully:

To the original question, I had some quite significant additional covering and wear patches added to my Ribtec ~6 years ago now (didn't realise it was that long ago!), and it's still working beautifully:

Tim, for your patching did you have blue patches in between the black patches? The blue looks to have its coloured restored again - unless itís just wet because mine look like they have their colour back when wet as well

Yes - blue patches between the black ones. Tubes were original (1998) and the boat has been well used hence a lot of wear and tear. Looked great after I added the patches. Sadly I sold it last year and the new owner ironically decided to paint the tubes black. Ití been advertised for the last few weeks as tubes painted, paint work peeling in various places. Last round of bidding on eBay achieved half of what I sold it for. Says it all really!!